Sakis Rouvas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sakis Rouvas
Σάκης Ρουβάς
Rouvas in 2019
Born	Anastasios Rouvas (1972-01-05) 5 January 1972 (age 53) Corfu, Greece
Nationality	Greek
Other names	Sakis
Occupation	Singer Actor Television presenter Businessman Producer Athlete
Years active	1987–1990 (athlete) 1991–present (performer)
Works	Discography Videography Filmography Performances
Spouse(s)	Katia Zygouli ​ (m. 2017)​
Children	4
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Pop Pop rock R&B Dance-pop Electropop
Instruments	Vocals Guitar Piano
Labels	PolyGram Greece Minos EMI Universal Music France Panik Records
Associated acts	Corfu Band

Anastasios "Sakis" Rouvas (born 5 January 1972), known simply as Sakis, is a Greek singer, actor, businessman, and former pole vaulter. He is one of Greece's most famous and successful artists.

Born in Corfu, Sakis Rouvas first achieved success as an athlete, winning medals in pole vaulting. He then started his music career in 1991 with his first album. He quickly became very popular, releasing many number-one albums and singles. Most of his songs have sold extremely well, earning platinum awards. He has also performed in many concerts and tours.

Over his career, Sakis Rouvas has released fourteen studio albums. His song "Shake It", which he sang for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004, became one of the best-selling CD singles in Greece. Besides music, he has also worked as an actor, a TV host, and a businessman. He has won many awards, including Arion Music Awards, Pop Corn Music Awards, and MAD Video Music Awards. Forbes magazine once named him Greece's third-most influential celebrity and the top singer.

Sakis Rouvas has been with model Katia Zygouli since 2003. They got married in 2017 and have four children. He also does a lot of charity work, supporting different social and environmental causes.

Early Life and First Steps in Music

Sakis Rouvas was born on January 5, 1972, in Corfu City, Greece. He was the oldest of three brothers. From a young age, he showed talent in sports, taking ballet classes and starting gymnastics at nine. He also enjoyed acting and performed in plays. At age ten, he played the main role in a play called An I Karharies Itan Anthropi (If Sharks Were Men).

Around this time, he became interested in music. He taught himself to play the guitar and was inspired by artists like Elvis Presley. When he was 15, Sakis joined Greece's national track and field team, focusing on pole vaulting. He won several national awards. Even though he was good at sports, he started to dream of a music career.

As a teenager, he joined a local orchestra and formed a band with friends. One day, he filled in for a sick band member at a hotel. This led to him performing regularly at local clubs. While performing at a club, he was discovered by his future manager, Ilias Psinakis. This led Sakis to move to Athens to become a professional musician.

Music Career Highlights

Early Success (1991–1993)

When Sakis Rouvas first moved to Athens, he tried out for a theater show but didn't get the part. He then moved to Patras, where he performed and was discovered by singer Dakis, who became his first mentor. In 1990, he moved back to Athens and started performing at a nightclub. His singing caught the attention of music executives, and he signed his first record deal.

In 1991, Sakis made his first public appearance at the Thessaloniki Song Festival. He sang "Par'ta" ("Take Them"), which won an award for Best Composition. Later that year, he released his first album, Sakis Rouvas. It quickly became a number-one album in Greece and had several popular songs like "Par'ta" and "Ego S'agapo" ("I Love You").

In 1992, he released his second album, Min Andistekese ("Don't Resist"). This album also had many hit songs, making him one of Greece's top pop artists. His third album, Gia Sena ("For You"), came out in 1993 and continued his success with popular songs like "Kane Me" ("Make Me").

New Sounds and Challenges (1994–2000)

In 1994, Sakis worked with singer-songwriter Nikos Karvelas on his fourth album, Aima, Dakrya & Idrotas (Blood, Tears & Sweat). This album included hits like "Ela Mou" ("Come to Me"). After finishing his military service, he released his fifth album, Tora Arhizoun Ta Dyskola (Now the Hard Times Start), in 1996. He also sang a duet with Anna Vissi called "Se Thelo, Me Theleis" ("I Want You, You Want Me").

Sakis also started voice acting, providing the voice of Quasimodo for the Greek version of Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In 1997, he sang a duet with Turkish pop singer Burak Kut called "Birgün/Otan" ("Someday/When"). They performed together at a concert in Cyprus, which aimed to bring people together.

In 1998, Sakis released his sixth album, Kati Apo Mena (Something From Me), which included one of his most famous songs, "Den Ehi Sidera I Kardia Sou" ("Your Heart Has No Steel Rails"). The music videos for this album were directed by the famous filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos. In 2000, his seventh album, 21os Akatallilos (21th Unworthy), was released, with the title track composed by Sakis himself. Both the album and its main song "Andexa" ("I Endured") reached number one in Greece.

International Steps and Eurovision (2001–2005)

In 2001, Sakis Rouvas signed with Universal Licensing Music in France. He worked with famous producers on the song "Disco Girl," which became a big hit in Greece and was released in France. He promoted the song by performing in France, including at the famous Olympia in Paris.

His eighth album, Ola Kala (All Is Well), came out in 2002. It quickly became a gold record and then platinum in Greece. In 2003, he released his ninth album, To Hrono Stamatao (I Stop Time), which also went gold.

In 2004, Sakis was chosen to represent Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004. His song, "Shake It", became very popular. He performed in Istanbul and finished third in the competition. This performance greatly increased his fame. After Eurovision, he performed at the closing ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

In 2005, Sakis released his tenth album, S'eho Erotefthi (I'm in Love With You), which became triple platinum. It included many popular songs like "S'eho Erotefthi" and "Hilia Milia" ("A Thousand Miles"). He also won the World Music Award for Best-Selling Greek Artist of 2004.

Hosting Eurovision and New Projects (2006–2010)

In 2006, Sakis released Live Ballads, his first live album, which topped the Greek charts. That same year, Greece hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, and Sakis was chosen to co-host the show with Maria Menounos. He also performed his song "I'm in Love With You" during the event.

In November 2006, Sakis started filming his first movie, Alter Ego, a musical drama where he played the main role. His eleventh album, Iparhi Agapi Edo (There Is Love Here), was released in December 2006 and went platinum.

In 2008, Sakis and Antonis Remos went on a tour across North America, Australia, and South Africa. He also released the hit song "+ Se Thelo" ("And I Want You"). In July 2008, he became the host of the first season of Greece's version of The X Factor.

In 2009, Sakis represented Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 for a second time with the song "This Is Our Night". He finished seventh in the final. On July 1, 2009, Sakis performed a huge concert at the Kallimarmaro Panathenaic Stadium to promote environmental awareness. This concert had 40,000 people, making it the largest non-sporting event at the venue and the biggest attendance for a solo artist in Greek music history.

His 13th album, Parafora, was released in 2010 and quickly became double-platinum. The song "Spase Ton Hrono" from the album was a number-one hit and won several awards.

Continued Success and New Ventures (2011–Present)

Sakis continued to perform and release new music. In 2011, his song "Oi Dyo Mas" topped the national airplay chart. He also hosted the third season of The X Factor Greece. In 2012, he received the Greek of the Year award for his charity work with the Elpida Foundation.

In 2013, Sakis returned to television as the host of Iroes Anamesa Mas (Heroes Among Us), a documentary series about heroic people. That summer, he made his theater debut in the play The Bacchae, playing the role of Dionysus. His performance was highly praised.

In 2014, Sakis went on his "Ace of Hearts Tour," which supported the Elpida Foundation and the Orama Elpidas marrow bank. He also received the honorary Greek Legend Award from the World Music Awards. In 2015, he performed Mikis Theodorakis's famous work Axion Esti.

From 2016 to 2023, Sakis was a coach on The Voice of Greece. He also continued to host The X Factor. In 2017, he performed at the 82nd Thessaloniki International Fair for a record-breaking crowd of over 50,000 people. In 2020, he helped open Greece's first underwater museum and performed a concert at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

His fourteenth studio album, Sta Kalitera Mou, was released in 2021 and became the best-selling Greek album of the year. In 2022, he hosted the Greek version of The Masked Singer. In 2023, he received an award at the Mad Video Music Awards for his contributions to Greek music.

In January 2025, Sakis released "Kontra pao," his first song with his new label, Sakis Rouvas Music, in partnership with Panik Records. He also co-hosted the show where Greece's Eurovision representative was chosen. He continues to perform live shows and tours across Greece and internationally.

Artistic Style and Voice

Musical Influences

Elvis Presley in 1957

Michael Jackson in 1984

Sakis Rouvas was greatly influenced by Elvis Presley from a young age. He admired Presley's singing, dancing, and stage presence. His musical tastes also include bands from the 1960s and 1970s like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Kiss, and Queen. He considers Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" one of the best songs ever. Later, artists like George Michael and Michael Jackson also inspired him.

Sakis especially admired Michael Jackson's "Earth Song" for its environmental message. He has called Jackson "one of the most significant singers ever" and "the biggest showman." Among Greek artists, he respects Yiannis Parios, Marinella, and Nana Mouskouri. He also sees Haris Alexiou and Anna Vissi as the greatest Greek female singers.

Sakis mainly identifies as a pop-rock artist. He has tried different styles, including traditional Greek sounds, but always keeps his pop identity. He is known for sticking to pop music, which is a unique choice in the Greek music scene.

Singing Ability

Rouvas performing at STARZ

Sakis Rouvas did not have formal singing lessons as a child. Early in his career, some critics focused more on his image than his voice. However, over time, people started to notice his strong vocal skills, including his range and power.

He improved his voice by studying with vocal coaches. His album Kati Apo Mena (1998) showed his improved control and emotional singing. In 2018, he had vocal cord surgery and worked with a classical singer to strengthen his voice.

Sakis has a tenor voice, meaning he can sing high notes. He is praised for being able to sing softly and then powerfully. He won awards for Best Male Vocal Performance in 1999 and 2000. Critics have described his voice as precise, recognizable, and well-suited for emotional songs. He is very disciplined about keeping his voice healthy, avoiding smoking and alcohol.

Performances and Instruments

Sakis Rouvas concert at Panathinaiko Stadium

Sakis Rouvas performs and records in Greek, English, and French. He has also sung in Turkish and Russian for special duets. Besides singing, he plays several instruments, including acoustic and electric guitar, bass, piano, cello, and percussion. He often plays his guitar during concerts.

His live shows are known for his strong singing and energetic stage presence. He is praised for singing live and performing complex dances at the same time. Sakis has explored many music styles, from pop and rock to traditional Greek music and even light rap. He is also known for his emotional way of singing.

Acting and Television Work

Sakis Rouvas has been interested in acting since he was a child. His parents were involved in local theater, and he participated in plays. Before acting in movies, he voiced characters in Greek versions of animated films.

He starred in music videos directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, which were like short films. These videos showed his ability to adapt to different styles. In 2007, Sakis made his movie debut in Alter Ego, where he played a rock star. He was also a producer for the film.

In 2009, he took on a different role in the psychological thriller Duress, playing a serial killer. Critics noted that he successfully changed his public image for this serious role. In 2013, he played Dionysus in the play The Bacchae, receiving praise for his powerful stage presence. He also appeared in the 2015 film Chevalier, which was selected as Greece's entry for the Academy Awards.

After hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006, Sakis became a popular TV host. He hosted several seasons of The X Factor Greece, where his charm and musical knowledge helped the show's success. He also hosted The Masked Singer, Ethnikos Telikos, and documentary series like Iroes Anamesa Mas (Heroes Among Us) and Idols, which featured inspiring Greek figures. For nine years, he was also a coach on The Voice of Greece.

Other Activities

Business Ventures

Sakis Rouvas has also ventured into business. In 2009, he invested in a beauty company and opened a sushi restaurant called EDO. In 2010, he launched his own clothing line, the Sakis Rouvas Collection. He also co-founded a production company with his brother.

Since 2015, Sakis has managed Gaioanaptixi S.A., a company that recycles organic waste and turns it into energy. He is also a partner in a dairy processing facility and an advisor for a company that helps businesses grow. He founded Helios Power P.C., which produces solar energy. In 2025, it was reported that he was working on a project to turn organic waste from hotels into clean electricity.

Brand Endorsements

Sakis Rouvas is known as one of Greece's most marketable entertainers. In 2001, he was the first Greek celebrity to appear in a Pepsi TV commercial. He also had endorsement deals with Vodafone Greece and B.U. perfume.

He has worked with various brands, including Kré Kré ice cream, FAGE yogurt, Trident Senses gum, Adidas, Lay's chips, and Coca-Cola. From 2019 to 2023, he was the brand ambassador for McDonald's in Greece and Cyprus. He has also represented Breitling watches, Theoni natural mineral water, Gillette, and Volkswagen.

Charity Work

Sakis Rouvas is very active in charity work, especially for children, the environment, and public health. In 2007, he donated money from his concerts to help those affected by wildfires in Greece. In 2009, he became a "messenger" for the ELPIDA Charity Foundation, which helps children with cancer. He has supported their campaigns and donated large sums of money.

In 2014, Sakis became the first volunteer bone marrow donor at the Orama Elpidas (Vision of Hope) marrow bank and helped raise awareness for marrow donation. He has visited refugee children to provide aid and encouraged people to register as bone marrow donors at his concerts.

He has also supported environmental campaigns, participating in reforestation efforts after wildfires. In 2021, he helped provide aid to areas affected by floods. In 2023, he performed at a charity concert for children with disabilities and supported students affected by floods in Thessaly. In 2024, he helped donate wellness equipment to a hospital and supported the Greek Paralympic team. He also performs at charity events to support hospital clinics.

Personal Life

Sakis Rouvas has shared that he experienced dyslexia as a child, which made reading and writing difficult for him.

Since 2003, Sakis has been in a relationship with model Katia Zygouli. They have four children: Anastasia (born 2008), Alexandros (born 2011), Ariadni (born 2013), and Apollonas (born 2016). They got married on July 3, 2017, in a Greek Orthodox ceremony.

Even though he stopped being a professional athlete, Sakis still trains in pole vaulting. He also holds a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, plays golf, enjoys freediving, and is an avid cyclist.

Discography

Filmography

Films
Year	Title	Role	Notes and Awards
1996	The Hunchback of Notre Dame	Quasimodo	Main character, Greek voice-dub
2006	Cars	Lightning McQueen
2007	Alter Ego	Stefanos	Main character Also associate producer
2009	Duress	Abner Solvie	Villain
	Planet 51	Captain Charles "Chuck" T. Baker	Main character, Greek voice-dub
2011	Cars 2	Lightning McQueen
2015	Chevalier	Christos	Main character
2017	Cars 3	Lightning McQueen	Main character, Greek voice-dub
TBA	Icarus	Alex	Post-production, Short film
Television
Year	Title	Role	Notes and Awards
1996	Kalinyhta Mama (Goodnight Mommy)	Himself	1 episode
2004	Summer Olympics		Performance in the closing ceremony
2006	Eurovision Song Contest 2006	Host
2008–2011, 2016–2017	The X Factor Greece		* Johnnie Walker Man of the Year Award for Presenter of the Year (2011)
2013	Iroes anamesa mas (Heroes Among Us)		Docuseries
2016	Olympic Flame Handover Ceremony	Himself	Performance
2016, 2020	Madame Figaro Cyprus Women of the Year	Host
2016–2023	The Voice of Greece	Coach
2021-2022	Idols	Host	Docuseries
2022	The Masked Singer
2025	Ethnikós Telikós 2025
Theater
Year	Title	Role	Notes and Awards
2013	The Bacchae	Dionysus	First theater role
2015	Hercules- 12 labours	Hercules

Key

Denotes films that have not yet been released

Tours and Residencies

Concert tours

• Tora Arhizoun Ta Dyskola Summer Tour (1997)
• Pepsi Tour (2001)
• Ola Kala World Tour (2002)
• Sakis Live in Town Tour (2003)
• Sakis on Stage Tour (2005)
• Fire Victims Tour (2007)
• Antonis Remos – Sakis Rouvas World Tour (2008)
• Kalokairino Randevou me ton Saki Tour (2008)
• Sakis Live Tour (2009)
• Sakis Summer Tour (2010)
• Ace of Hearts Tour (2014)
• Eleftheros Tour (Guest act) (2022)
• Moments (2024)

Concert residencies

Awards

See also

In Spanish: Sákis Rouvás para niños

• Honorific nicknames in popular music
• List of Eurovision Song Contest presenters
• List of Greeks
• List of Pepsi spokespersons
• Mononymous person